The department offers Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art and Art History, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts. The requirements vary according to the degree the student chooses to pursue. The Bachelor of Arts provides a set of rigorous foundation courses and the opportunity for technical and critical exploration in a specific area. The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree encourages further development of artistic skills and critical engagement. A student who wishes to complete a Bachelor of Fine Arts must make a formal application to the department at the end of the sophomore year.

Art History Courses

110H. Art History I. 4 semester hours

Selective chronological survey of architecture, painting, sculpture and decorative arts from the birth of art in the Prehistoric period through its development in the Middle Ages, with an emphasis on the Western tradition. Although this course focuses on art created in Western Europe, the survey will also include the art of the Ancient Near East and the Byzantine Empire. Every year.

120H. Art History II. 4 semester hours.

Selective chronological survey of the arts of the Western world from the Renaissance through the present. This course traces the development of the pictorial traditions of the West by concentrating on the major artists and movements, beginning with the resurgence of classical antiquity in the Italian Renaisssance and culminating with the radical artistic innovations of the 21st century. Every semester.

130C. Non-Western Art Survey. 4 semester hours

This course surveys visual culture generally classified as “non-western art.” The regions explored include Western and Central Asia, South and Southeast Asia, China, Japan, Korea, the Pacific, Africa, and the Americas. The art historical periods studied range from those of the earliest visual evidence in the regions to the present day. An investigation of “patronage, creation, and use” serves as the comparative theme that threads together the contents’ significant breadth. No prerequisites. Writing Intensive.

 220H. Italian Renaissance Art. 4 semester hours.

Examination of Renaissance painting, sculpture and architecture from the Late Gothic period (ca. 1270-1300) through the Renaissance (Early and High) and Mannerism. The artists and monuments in Florence, Rome and Venice will receive special attention, although developments in other regions in Italy will also be discussed. Emphasis will be placed on the departure from Medieval art and the revival of Antiquity, and art objects and monuments will be discussed in the context of individual artists, patrons and religious and historical events. Every third semester.

230H. Baroque and Rococo Art. 4 semester hours.

Surveys the art, architecture and sculpture produced during the Baroque and Rococo periods (ca. 1600-1800) in Western Europe.  Art objects and monuments will be discussed in the context of individual artists, patrons and religious and historical events.  Every third semester.

240H. Early Christian and Byzantine Art. 4 semester hours.

Explores the foundations of the Christian tradition in the visual arts in Late Antiquity (ca. 200-565 AD) and traces its development through the early, middle and late periods of Byzantine art.  Emphasis will be placed on an examination of traditions that informed the art of the period.  Every third year.

243H. Western Medieval Art. 4 semester hours.

Covers the art and architecture produced from the decline of the Roman Empire through the Gothic period in Western Europe.  Hiberno-Saxon, Carolingian, Ottonian, Romanesque and Gothic art will be covered chronologically and by region in Europe.  Emphasis will be given to the historical context that informed the Middle Ages.  Every third year.

275H. Greek and Roman Art. 4 semester hours.

Focuses on Greek and Roman painting, sculpture and architecture as well as the decorative arts. Works of art will be analyzed in relation to the historical background of these fundamentally different civilizations and in terms of the objects’ original function or context. Students will gain a solid understanding of the visual characteristics and the artists and architects that embody these movements. Every third year.

280. Topics in Art History. 2-4 semester hours.

Courses in the history of art as described in the course schedule for each semester.

340. Modern Art. 4 semester hours.

Investigation into the art and architecture from the end of the 19th century (c. 1890) through the contemporary period, primarily in Western Europe and America.  Art historical movements, including the artists and stylistic traits which embody them, will be studied chronologically.  Every semester.

497. Senior Thesis - Art History. 4 semester hours.

A supervised independent study in which the student will be expected to produce a 30 to 40 page paper on an approved Art History topic. Because advancement in the field of Art History relies heavily on research and publications, this paper should demonstrate the student’s ability to conduct in-depth research and to produce a writing sample suitable for entry into graduate school or a position in the field. Students will be expected to meet with the professor at regular intervals so that the professor may determine the rate of progress and offer guidance and support. Every year.

Studio Courses

101A. Studio Foundations: Two-Dimensional Design. 4 semester hours.

Introduction to the basic components of the visual arts with special emphasis on the role of media. A primary goal is to develop a student’s ability to think in visual terms. Every year.

103. Studio Foundations: Three-Dimensional Design. 4 semester hours.

An exploration of the formal use of space as it is applied to three-dimensional form. The student will be introduced to the elements of height, width, depth, volume and form. Project research will be in the realm of non-objectivity, abstraction and reality. Particular attention will be given to the techniques of drawing, model making and presentation of a final solution. Emphasis will be placed on creative thinking and problem solving in the context of small-scale and larger projects. Every year.

121A. Basic Drawing. 4 semester hours.

Part of the first-year Foundations sequence. Introduction to the basic disciplines of drawing — line, value composition, etc. Special emphasis on drawing as a tool for gathering ideas. Every year.

131A. Introduction to Painting. 4 semester hours.

Survey of a variety of painting techniques and visual issues. Emphasis placed on creative expression and exploration with several painting styles and historical approaches to picture making. Students will also learn about general historical contexts of painting from ancient through contemporary applications. Every year.

151. Introduction to Printmaking. 4 semester hours.

Survey of printmaking techniques designed to expose students to the possibilities of artistic expression through traditional as well as recently developed approaches to printing. Every year.

221. Drawing I. 4 semester hours.

Emphasis on further developing drawing techniques introduced in Basic Drawing. Skills in problem solving will be enhanced through narrative interpretation and drawing from landscapes, nature and the human figure. Visual analysis, media exploration, and personal stylistic growth are also vital components of this course. Prerequisite: Art 121. Every year.

231. Painting I. 4 semester hours.

Introduction to the basic materials, processes, and concepts of oil painting. Prerequisite: Art 121. Every year.

241A. Introduction to Photography. 4 semester hours.

This course introduces students to traditional black and white photographic techniques.  Instruction covers the understanding and use of a 35mm SLR camera and its functions, the process of developing black and white negatives and creating black and white 8x10 prints.  Some areas of photographic capture covered: depth of field control, motion control, portraiture, and experimental approaches.  This course is intended to be the introductory course to the photography concentration for the Department of Art.  It is also a course designed for students who want an introduction to the medium as part of a broad liberal arts experience.  A chemistry fee and camera rental fee are required for the course.   Every year.

245A. Digital Imaging I. 4 semester hours.

Photoshop has changed the world of visual imaging and indeed photography as we know it.  This course is intended as an intensive introduction to the broad range of functions in the program, and how they can be applied to design, advertising, fashion and especially fine art.  Some functions explored in detail are:  creative uses of tools, layer management, filter exploration, useful workflow and printing management.  Prerequisites:  Art 101A and Art 121A or permission of instructor.  Every year.

251A. Printmaking I. 4 semester hours.

Introduction to the processes and techniques of intaglio or lithographic printmaking. Alternate years.

261A. Sculpture I. 4 semester hours.

Introduction to three-dimensional concepts. Exploration in wood construction, plaster and clay emphasized. Every year.

265A. Silver Jewelry. 4 semester hours.

Silver used to produce small art forms intended as body embellishment. Basic fabricating techniques, simple forming and centrifugal casting. Every year.

285A. Handbuilt Ceramics. 4 semester hours.

Construction of clay pieces without the potter’s wheel. Handbuilding investigated primarily through the use of coils and slabs. Basic decorating and glazing techniques explored. Every year.

292A. Ceramics I. 4 semester hours.

Introduction to wheel throwing and handbuilding methods of clay construction, and basic decoration and firing techniques. Every year.

 321. Drawing II. 4 semester hours.

Emphasis on further developing drawing techniques explored in Drawing I. Students will be encouraged to choose an art direction and solve associated problems in order to reach a satisfactory creative outcome. We will continue to work with a wide range of subject matter and in a variety of media, and attention will be given to the development of personal artistic style. Prerequisite: Art 221. Every year.

331. Painting II. 4 semester hours.

Continuation of Art 231. Primary emphasis placed on understanding the unique characteristics of various painting techniques. Prerequisite: Art 231. Every year.

341. Advanced Photography. 4 semester hours.

Designed as a continuation of 241A, this course will ask students to further explore their personal expression, and hone their skills as artists through the photographic medium.  35mm and/or medium-format cameras and their functions will be explored.  Alternative processes, abstraction, the zone system, large-format cameras, self-portraiture, photojournalism, and the bridge between digital and analog photography are some of the areas that may be explored.  Prerequisite: Art 241A.  Every other year.

345. Digital Imaging II. 4 semester hours.

An advanced studio course in which students hone their skills using Photoshop and related software for the creation of design and fine artwork.

351. Printmaking II. 4 semester hours.

Advanced printmaking techniques. Continuation of Art 251, which is a prerequisite. Every year.

361. Sculpture II. 4 semester hours.

Continuation of Art 261. Exploration in carving, modeling, and construction. Investigation of stone, wood, metal, plaster, clay, and found objects. Prerequisite: Art 261. Every year.

 365. Silver Jewelry II. 4 semester hours.

Advanced silver jewelry techniques. Continuation of Art 265, which is a prerequisite. Every year.

380. Topics in Studio Art. 2-4 semester hours.

Courses in special studio art as described in the course schedule for each semester. This course may be repeated for credit.

385. Handbuilt Ceramics II. 4 semester hours.

Advanced study of handbuilding techniques. Prerequisite: Art 285. Every year.

392. Ceramics II. 4 semester hours.

Advanced study of building methods. Prerequisite: Art 292. Every year.

421. Drawing III. 4 semester hours.

A continuation of 321. Development of a deeper understanding of drawing techniques in a more concentrated individual style. Prerequisite: Art 321. Every year.

431. Painting III. 4 semester hours.

Continuation of Art 331. Major emphasis on the development of the student as an independent artist. The student makes a series of paintings as a means of investigating a single idea or theme. Prerequisite: Art 331. Every year.

451. Printmaking III. 4 semester hours.

Advanced work in the graphic processes. Specialized study in individual creative and technical problems. Prerequisite: Art 251 or 351. Every year.

461. Sculpture III. 4 semester hours.

Individual studio atmosphere with the student expressing a strong creative direction on material. Working from the figure model is a possibility. Prerequisite: Art 361. Every Year.

490. Independent Study. 4 semester hours.

Advanced individual study in the history, theory, or studio aspects of art. Prerequisite: Permission of the department. Every year.

 491. Internships. 1-4 semester hours.

Structured opportunities for the junior or senior art major to apply learned skills in a real-world situation. The student must register and complete the required application before beginning the internship and must have both a departmental sponsor and an on-site sponsor. The internship is evaluated on a credit/no-credit basis, and it is the depatmental sponsor's responsibility to review the project upon completion and decide whether credit should be granted.

492. Ceramics III. 4 semester hours.

Continuation of Art 392, which is a prerequisite. Every year.

498. Senior Seminar - Studio Art. 2-4 semester hours.

The Art 498 Senior Thesis course is to prepare each student graduating form college with professionally relevant skills that will enable him/her to matriculate into a graduate or professional venue that is related to their own major. The course serves two general purposes - the first is to expose students to contemporary perspectives in the visual art field through critical dialogue and written reviews connected to the field; the second is to mentor each student through a protracted thesis project that spans two semesters and culminates in an exhibition in May of that year.

499. Honors Thesis/Project. Variable credit.

Prerequisite: 3.50 GPA and permission of the Department Chair.